“Hi Howie, Just wanted you to know that I enjoyed your last column. Keep up the good work…or whatever it is that you do… Keep Happy. Larry.” Name withheld to protect the guilty.
MOM always use to say, “Always finish what you start.” In those day long past every command was wrapped with a message. “Eat everything on your plate. Clean it up. People in Europe are starving.” “Then send them the cauliflower.” As I was picking myself up off the floor of our small dining area at 1921-105 Avenue in Oakland California I realize that “Mom is always right.” So Mom if you’re looking down I will finish what I started last week.
After listening to the “Braying Asses’” on HBO during the Mosley “encounter”, can’t call it a fight, I was questioning my very own ability to see and or think clearly. “Braying Ass’s ?” That should be read in the context of Diane Chambers asking Sam Malone, “Do you know the difference between a Braying Ass and you ?” “No” “The Braying Ass does.” I though that Shane Mosley looked lousy. Finally confirmation in the writing of Kevin Iole of the Las Vegas Review-Urinal. ” Shane Mosley came to Las Vegas and took a $4.25 million gamble. The former welterweight champion didn’t do much Saturday to support his case that he deserves more money for a proposed fight against
Oscar De La Hoya. Mosley’s bout, before a crowd of only 4,942 at Mandalay Bay, was stopped at 2 minutes, 41 seconds of the third round when his opponent, Raul Marquez, was cut around the eyes and could not continue.”
Point taken.
Point two. “Mosley said he would have to consult with promoter Barry Frank about a course of action in regard to a De La Hoya fight. But Top Rank president Bob Arum, De La Hoya promoter, said Mosley no longer is in the picture. Instead, the focus now is a rematch against Fernando Vargas, Arum said.” I had to wonder why I would want to pay a guy $4.25 million when he hasn’t won a fight in a year-and-a-half and he fought like that,” Arum said. “Let me reiterate that there is no deal. Barry and I had agreed, and it was there for Shane to accept. He didn’t, so there is no deal. I’m going to talk with Vargas.”
.
“No matter who was to blame for the cuts along Marquez’ eyes, there is no doubt that Mosley did little to enhance his value for a De La Hoya fight. He failed to sell out an arena that had been scaled down to hold fewer than 6,000 people, and he couldn’t stop a fighter many thought was finished.” Thank you Mr. Iole. He’s one of the honest reporters. That and the fact that he hates Penn State and Notre Dame makes him “aces in my book”. The problem with Mosley is his Dad and reality. Dad said that a punch caused the cut that stopped the fight. TV replay showed that not to be fact. “Denial” is alive and well with the personable Mosley’s. One that seems to have his feet planted on the ground is Mosley promoter Barry Frank.” I’m quite certain there is no more money there,” Frank said. “Just standing here and saying, `I’m not going to do it,’ is not going to change anybody’s mind. I’m sure De La Hoya has a lot of options, as does Shane. Shane’s might not be as profitable as Oscar’s, but he has options.” Mr. Frank isn’t too Chablis in the understatement department either.
THIS bring us back again to the fact that these super star’s of boxing are not selling tickets. Let’s say that Mandalay Bay sells 3,500 tickets (The rest comps). Of those sold ticket 100 people come in and stay at their facility. Let’s pretend, cause I have no idea, that they loose $500,000. In gaming. Is it worth 1 million dollars to bring in $500,000 ? Silly question. Boxing has few super stars. It’s like the PGA (Professional Golf Association) they have Tiger Woods and the rest chasing. The PGA is going to get Anika Sorrestram (lady ball hitter) to play in an attempt to hype interest in the Colonial Open. Boxing has Oscar/Tyson and a lot of bluster. All sports have has problem that they never encountered before.
During a radio interview a big time Basketball writer said, “The NBA has priced itself out of the middle class market.” he went on, “In Milwaukee and Atlanta teams don’t get a lot of local support.” Heck I would guess not. The teams are lousy and a tickets cost $75.00. $75.00 bucks to watch a bunch of “athletics” who many times “mail in” their performances. Baseball and football are on shaky financial ground . They wanted parity and got it. All teams are average. There in lies one of the disturbing facts about boxing. We have parity. A lot of average fighters getting super star money. Yet promoters and venue’s decry the lack of fan support. Where is it written that because I like boxing I’m obligated to work 40 hour’s per week, try to raise a family while using all “recreational” income to support the average? It’s not and I don’t. As with all sports I don’t need some poorly dressed so called journalist telling me “You have to support the local team.” Yea right so said journalist doesn’t have to find real work.
The up side, at least in Vegas , is that after paying too much for a boxing ticket you’re also not soaked for $20.00 for parking. That of course is adequately made up for with $6.00 dollar beers. Let’s dispel another myth, the first being that boxing is a major sport, Las Vegas is not the fight Capital of the World. It may have rented the privilege for a short time, when Oscar or Tyson is in residence, but their is no capital for the world of boxing cause there’re ain’t no world. The sport has become insignificant expect for a cult following. If something isn’t done it will go the way of Polo. When was the last time you loaded the family in the car for an afternoon at the Polo matches? Gotta love the action in the final chuckers. (Wanna have some fun? Spell the word POLOPONY and ask someone to pronounce it. IT will come out “Po LOP ony” and other combinations. Then you answer, “It’s polo pony. It’s good clean fun.) I know I’m getting Bi Polar again.
RECENTLY Teddy Atlas on the Friday night fights brought up the fact that Tony Alamo Jr. was appointed the vice chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission. The appointment was made by Chairman Luther Mack. I applauded Teddy for bringing the obvious to the attention of the world as we know it. Alamo Jr.’s Dad is the Head Honcho for the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. As everyone knows the Mandalay Bay presents boxing so in turn is somewhat “regulated” by the Nevada Athletic Commission. I typed in “somewhat” cause any regulation of the gaming industry in Nevada is an illusion. Should the son of the regulated be one of the regulators ? NFW. OK let’s try this on. Should the son of a person that does the regulating excuse himself when matters concerning his father’s property are to be regulated ? Yes. Has that been done in this case NO. In the words of Dicky V, “This is sophistry baby. It’s sophistry”.
The ever expanding story which has expanded in the past 7 days would be perfect for the A & E’s “City Confidential. But then with one already shown maybe once is enough. (“The Murder of Ted Binnion.” ‘She was a titian haired seductress who met Teddy at one of the many strip clubs that dot the Las Vegas landscape like locus in a cornfield. He was one of the rich of Las Vegas where everything and everybody is available…for a price. She was down on her luck but that was all about to change. At the same time Good Time Teddy’s luck was also about to change.)
What actually did Atlas say? Even though the remarks were made a couple of weeks ago it was only last week that the story saw the light of day in Las Vegas. Royce Feour ( Las Vegas Review-Journal) broke the story on Thursday last The story probably would have remained dead except for Mandalay Bay Executive Tony Alamo Sr. He wants Atlas, ESPN and HBO to apologize for Atlas remarks. As “:Chick ” Reed use to say, “People in hell want Holy Water too.”. Guess my late Pappy figured that being in hell he had plenty of cigars, a nice adult beverage, plenty of scantly clad Demimondaine’s and 24 hour’s sports so the only thing missing was ice water.
“ESPN boxing commentator Teddy Atlas said he stands behind his comments that a conflict of interest exists involving Mandalay Resort Group executive Tony Alamo Sr. and his son, Dr. Tony Alamo Jr., the vice chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission. “Of course I do, 100 percent,” Atlas said Wednesday from his New York home. “I would never work another day (in the broadcast business) before I would retract one word. I am not irresponsible. I am responsible. I am passionate about the sport. I have been in (the sport) way before these people ever got around the sport. “I think anybody would see the obvious conflict. I have never accused them of any wrongdoing. All I
have said is that the conflicts are obvious.”
Of course Atlas is correct. But that doesn’t count in the World of Nevada. The State of Nevada is run for one purpose. That purpose is to support gaming in any and all forms. The gaming industry can do no wrong. They have taken over a state and run it as their person fiefdom. Where gaming is concerned Banana Republics are more democratic. At least in the early days of Vegas when the Goom Baghs ran things they left a little on the table,. Not these modern corporate crooks. They are in the mold and of the mid set of the thief’s from ENRON, Global Crossings and Tyco. Nevada politicians are bought and paid for lock stock and barrel. The Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman, made his fame as a Mob Lawyer. You may remember he played himself in Casino. The highlight of his term in office, so far, is advertising a Vodka which according to him is his liquid of choice.
The Governor is an empty suit named Kenny. How could anyone vote for a clown named Kenny? He ran for reelection against “:No One”. He was reelected. Surprise, Surprise. On election night he said, “My mandate has dictated a tax increase.” “NO Kenny your election indicated that you’re lucky not to be flipping burger’s at Micky D’s.” He told the people of Nevada, “You’re a coward if you don’t want a tax increase.” And don’t start me on the two phony Senators from Nevada. One of each party. But I digress.
Alamo Sr., acting like bully’s everywhere, has written to ESPM demanding that they retract the comments made by Atlas and Bob Papa. Rumor also has him writing HBO wanting an apology for God knows what. “The comments and inferences intended by them are absolutely defamatory, and demand is now made for their retraction and correction,” a letter from Alamo’s attorney, Fred Gibson III, to ESPN said. Now is the time for B. Bunny to say, “What a maroon.” No where at anytime do Atlas’s comments do anything but state the truth. Funny that Mr. Alamo Sr.’s lawyer didn’t raise any fuss about other things that Atlas said. Like what ? How about. “Something is rotten in
Denmark.” Atlas continued, “I mean, this is ridiculous. First of all, the Mandalay Bay is a co-promoter in Las Vegas for big fights. Talk about conflict of interest — are you crazy? Now the situation is you have the son of the vice president of the Mandalay Bay … he’s the guy who’s now as you said the vice chairman of the commission, he’s going to be making decisions on who officials are for fights, approving, disapproving officials. It’s just incredible, so I want to scream to somebody. The governor (Kenny Guinn) appointed Tony Alamo Jr., so I want to scream to the governor. Guess what, I can’t scream to the governor. You know why? Because I did a little checking, and guess who was the biggest contributor to the governor’s campaign to get (him) elected? Mandalay Bay — can you believe it? So the governor, you can’t cry to (him).” Teddy the Governor don’t care.
Alamo’s letter to ESPN said that statement and others by Atlas and Papa are not simply expressions of opinion. “These statements are allegations of criminal conduct on both federal and state levels,” Alamo’s letter said. “They comprise some of the most damaging accusations that can be raised against an individual or business licensed by the State of Nevada, and place Mr. Alamo at great financial risk. The accusations and inferences are, of course, utterly false and absolutely fantasy.” Alamo’s letter demanded that ESPN have no further comment that Alamo Sr. acted improperly, stating the cable network does not have any evidence that the Alamos acted illegally or
improperly. If ESPN does not respond by 3 p.m. today (Thursday which they didn’t), the letter noted that other legal options might be pursued (They weren’t). “The magnitude of the accusations and allegations made by the commentators cannot be excused as hyperbole or heat of the moment mistakes,” Alamo’s letter said. “The positions articulated by Atlas demonstrate a calculated effort to harm Alamo (Sr.) and promise a continued effort to achieve that goal, regardless of the truth or reality.” To quote from Mr. Shakespeare. The writer Mr. Shakespeare not the fishing pole guy, “Me think he do protest to much.”
I am a big fan of the Chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission Chairman Luther Mack. I received an unsigned e-mail that implies wrongdoing on his part and makes charges against the gentleman. They are patently false. “Recently Mandalay hotel and casino CEO Mr. Alamo Sr. had a very special guest, who by the way got a rate on a suite that would put the discount dot com’s out of business and make Robin Leach pop his Champagne cork. How about $115.00 penthouse suite, are you ready for the distinguished guest ? It’s the Nevada State boxing commissioner Mr. Luther Mack.” One would expect this from those that see a conspiracy behind everything that’s done in the world. This falls under the no harm no foul rule. For the record Mr. Mack ALWAYS pays for his own travel and lodging.
Executive Director Marc Ratner has jumped in the fray as he must. “Dr. Alamo has served on the Commission with distinction for almost two years. His voting record proves his integrity for the sport of boxing. You should know that before accepting his appointment on the Commission by our Governor, Dr. Alamo received and continues to follow legal advice from the Nevada Attorney General’s Office regarding his ability to serve on the Commission and vote on its matters.” Gee Marc everything you say is either true or falls into the realm of “So ?” MY gosh Mr. Alamo has served on the commission for two year’s ? That must make him an expert. Knowing the State of Nevada as I do, my favorite portion of the letter is “You should know that before accepting his appointment on the Commission by our Governor, Dr. Alamo received and continues to follow legal advice from the Nevada Attorney General’s Office regarding his ability to serve on the Commission and vote on its matters.” This would be the same Attorney General’s office that saw nothing wrong with one commission, no longer there, that was extorting money from Casino’s. Got the picture. Regardless of the attempt to make chocolate éclairs out of road muffins the entire situation is unseemly. Never has the basic premise been challenged. Alamo Jr. was appointed jumping over at least one more qualified candidate (Dr. Flipper), he (Alamo) has voted on matters that affect Mandalay Bay and the latter was the biggest campaign contributor to Kenny’s Boy campaign. This situation give the “appearance” of inappropriate behavior. Where the hell is the Orkin Man when you need him?
Dan Quinn, a ESPN Spokesman cut to the chase. I would have simply repeated his words but need the words to inflate my legacy. “At no time did any of the commentators accuse anyone of illegal behavior. Rather, their opinions, clearly stated as such, were that the circumstances they reported on gave rise to at least the appearance of a conflict of interest on the part of the officials involved and therefore were detrimental to the public’s perception of the integrity of boxing in Nevada.” Bless Ye ESPN.
AS this column is called “Talkin Boxin” maybe we should. What a refreshing idea that is. Best weekend coming up for those that get their dose of the sport via the television. It’s a Joe Starke (sports announcer in the San Francisco Bay Area) moment for next week. Joe Starke? “Yep, ” WHAT A BONANZA”. The cruiserweight division is kinda like Opera. Either you like it or you don’t. The difference is there’s no fat lady singing to let you know when it’s done. ESPN has Wayne Braithwaite (18-0) defending his WBC Crown against vs. Ravea Springs (25-2). I don’t know squat about Springs but I do know that he was sparring with Laila Ali and not dominating. After here impressive appearance last Friday night in Louisville that may not be as negative as it reads. Braithwaite with the Bagel record (14-0) could develop into something interesting. This just sets the table for Saturday nights really big fight in Memphis.
THIS fight either will or will not happen at press time. It’s a Tyson thing. Anytime Mike Tyson steps into a ring it’s news throughout the world. Make it 6/5 that they’ll be watching from the four corners of the earth. For better or worse boxing in the year 2003 is still Mike Tyson. The question on the Showtime telecast is not will Mike win The question that has to be answered is “How does he look?” If he looks like a fighter then the sky’s the limit once again. Oh how many times in Tyson’s career have those words have been written ? In boxing writing 1A it’s taught that record’s should always be included. For the record, Tyson has a couple of jail terms, two divorces, at least 6.5 million in debt, a couple of topless dancers slapped around and 49-4 in the ring stat. His opponent, Cliff Etienne (24-1-1) is made to order. He’s brave, doesn’t take a punch very well and comes forward.
Also on TV as the undercard is Jeff Lacy (12-0) maybe the cream of the last Olympic team that isn’t a Hispanic. He takes a step up against Jimmy Crawford (37-3-2) with the world best referee Elmo Adolph doing the honors. Not on TV but part of a very good show is Michael Moorer (43-3-1) and Diego Corrales (34-1). At press time both were fighting members of boxing premier family the TBA’s. Tough dudes. Just a guess but if Tyson looks good he’ll probably be back in the ring against Michael Moorer before he fights The Imperial One (aka Lennox Lewis) some time this fall. I disagree with Max Kellerman (“Go figure”). I think that a Diego Corrales with his head on straight, moving up in weight can and will be something special again. Member you read it first here.
Next. What the heck is going on here? “Previously unbeaten IBF bantamweight champion Tim Austin looses his title to Rafael Marquez, Alex “Nene” Sanchez looses the IBF jr. flu title to Jose Victor Burgos while no longer unbeaten Olympian Ricardo Williams Jr.is taken to the wood shed by late minute substitute Juan Valenzuela? Two things. First a promoter that was able to pick his fighters opponents and get them beaten. The two new champs belong to Bob Arum. The losers to Don King. Think Bob Arum wasn’t living it ? The thing to remember is that parity is alive and well in
boxing. Lots of average fighters.
CHICK fights stuff. IF you want to know what’s wrong with women’s boxing I give you Laila Ali(14-0) versus Mary Ann Almager. The latter took a body punch, not hard enough to be called a shot, in the fourth and quit like a dog not qualified for the Westminster Kennel Show. Then she had the unmitigated gall, as opposed to mitigated gall, to prance around the ring holding up Ali’s hand. Terrible. I was told prior to the fight, by a female boxer, that, Almager had no chin. Wish someone would have told me she had no heart either. Got back to the roots of boxing by watching the ESPN fights at the bar of the Pioneer Inn on the banks of the Colorado River. Besides the dollar MGD the cruiserwieght fight between Chad Van Sickle (8-0-2) and Josh Jones (4-1-1) was a heck of a fight. Write the name Van Sickle down. He may be something in the future.
One lady boxer that didn’t disappoint this weekend was Vicious Vaia “The Lil Darlin” Zaganas climbing back in the ring after riding the pine with an eye injury. The IFBA minimum champ laid a whipping on Stephanie Dobbs ( 59-55, 58-56, 60-54) over 6. One wire service said, “The fight was appeared to be close.” Not so. The LD had her from the “get go.” Trust me.
SOMETHING else you read first here is that NBC (which does not mean Nothing But Commercials) will televise a short series of Saturday afternoon fights in May. The first dates are May 3, May 10 and May 17. If the date May 3 rings a bell the fights will be televised just prior to the “Run for the Rose’s.” For those that don’t vote on Horse’s that the Kentucky Derby. The May 17th card will precede the Preakness the second crown jewel in the triple Crown. There is some though that boxing will find a “over-the-air” home on NBC. That seems doubtful. NBC is going to look at the ratings and make a decision. Scheduled to fight are Francisco Bojado, Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez. “Not a woody in the bunch.”
Gosh I hate it when I’m right more than once a year. Now we’ve got twice in one week. “Where will it end ?” I mentioned that Shamrba Mitchells folk after the sorry performance of Emanual Augustas a week Friday were beating the drums for a Mitchell-Gatti match with the eventual winner facing Kostya Tzysu. The IBF “kind of” mandated it. I wrote using my Dana Carvey voice doing George the One, Not going to happen. Never. Nope.” Now comes the official response.
“Quite frankly, I don’t see how a Gatti-Mitchell box-off enters the picture because Gatti is worth a lot more to the promotion than a 75/25 split would equal to in becoming a mandatory,” said Main Events matchmaker Carl Moretti. “In addition, the IBF mandatory for Tszyu isn’t due for another year.” Now the rest of the story. Mitchell is promoter by Gary Shaw. Gary Shaw once worked for Main Events and no longer does. There is no love lost between Main Events and Mr. Shaw. In short, “Gary Who ?” Nice try guys.
AND finally as everyone knows the Saturday night Tyson fight is “iffy” at best. Jeff Fenech came from Australia to help and hauled “A” back home. Team Tyson, Finkel and Shaw who need only Moe to fill the triple, spend all weekend in Vegas and have “nothing to say of any substances.” Of course that shouldn’t surprise anyone. What is facts is that Mike got a tattoo on the right side of his face. Trainer Freddy Roach, who has said that Tyson in no condition to fight. Roach said of the Tattoo “The source of Tyson’s troubles might be his new tattoo. It’s an African tribal thing,” Nothing left to be said.
(Opinions and editorials of HotBoxingNews.com is the opinion of those writers and may not be the opinion of HotBoxingNews.com)